What is a carrier oil?

A carrier oil, also known as a base oil or vegetable oil, is commonly used to dilute essential oils and absolutes for application to the skin. They are called carrier alls because they carry the benefits of active or essential oils into the layers of your skin.

Unlike essential oils, carrier oils are not generally scented and do not evaporate. It is vital to use essential oils diluted in a carrier oil or with in combination with other ingredients such as in a face mask.

Essential oils should only ever make up about 0.75% to 1.5% of your cleanser, mask, serum or moisturizer formula, some up to 5% but no more than this.

Below are a list of excellent carrier oils for ageing and mature skin.

The following natural carrier oils are used in homemade skin care cleansers, creams, eye serums to repair and support mature skin and to help fight wrinkles:

Wheat Germ oil contains high levels of Vitamin E Oil and other vitamins, minerals, protein, and essential fatty acids. When applied topically to the skin, it helps the formation of new skin cells and improves circulation. Wheat Germ Oil promotes skin cell formation, and is perfect for nourishing and rejuvenating dehydrated dry, mature skin. It’s also excellent for reducing scars, stretch marks and damaged skin making it great for anti-aging skin care and should be used at a ratio of 10-15% mixed with other carrier oils.

Apricot Kernel oil is easily absorbed by the skin. And because it’s a very light oil does not leave it feeling oily or greasy. Apricot kernel oil can help fight fine lines and is very revitalizing for the skin. It’s very rich and nourishing, helpful for prematurely aged, sensitive inflamed or delicate skin. Use this oil on its own or combined with other base oils to lighten their consistency. Normally used half and half with other carrier base oils.

Avocado oil is a natural oil that is one of the most easily absorbed by the skin. This makes it an excellent carrier oil because it effectively delivers the benefits of essential oils deep into the tissues of your skin. Avocado oil is high in sterolins, which are known to help reduce age spots and help heal scar tissue and sun damage.
Avocado oil is best suited for dry damaged and aging skin types and is known to significantly increase the amount of collagen in the skin. It is a very thick heavy oil that although penetrates deep into the skin, can leave a fatty waxy feel so should be used with other carrier oils to lessen the greasiness. Avocado oil is normally used at 10 to 20% dilution with other carrier oils.

Camellia oil is a powerful repairing and rejuvenating oil. It can repair the structure of skin while deeply moisturizing. It is loaded with antioxidants and lots of other nutrients and is easily absorbed by the skin.

Grape seed oil is very light in texture and is rapidly absorbed by the skin making it the perfect foil for normal to oily skin. Grapeseed contains powerful antioxidants making it especially effective for repair of skin around the eyes and in an eye serum. It’s also great for use in acne cleansing serums.

Hazelnut oil is another oils that is rich in essential fatty acids. It’s very soothing and healing for dry irritated skin. It is known to firm and tighten skin maintaining elasticity while encouraging cell regeneration. It stimulates circulation and is great for oily to combination skins.

Hemp seed oil has one of the highest concentrations of essential fatty acids of all carrier oils and closely resembles the skin’s natural lipids. It is ultra moisturizing and aids in reducing the appearance of wrinkles making it excellent for a mature skin serum or moisturizer. This oil is not greasy and is readily absorbed into the skin. Really good for dry skin and is best used in a 10 to 20% ratio with other carrier oils.

Jojoba oil is another oil that closely resembles your skins own sebum making it extremely popular as a carrier oil for skin care products. It’s exceptionally good for softening the skin and minimizing fine lines. It promotes skin suppleness and cell rejuvenation. It is also good for oily or blackhead prone skin because it helps to loosen and break down the buildup of oil and dirt in clogged pores. Jojoba oil is non-greasy and is great for oily and acne prone skin.

Pomegranate oil is a fast absorbing oil high in antioxidants that fight free radicals and promote cell regeneration. It is known to nourish and moisturize skin, reducing wrinkles promoting elasticity and preventing aging. Pomegranate oil is very good for sunburned dry and irritated skin. It’s a very light oil and penetrates well normally used in a 10% concentration in skincare products.

Rosehip seed oil contains high amounts of vitamin C making it a concentrated source of antioxidants. It is also high in GLA (gamma linoleic acid) which protects against the signs of aging especially targeting the fine lines around the eyes or crows feet and lines around the mouth. It’s also very good for scarring especially acne scars and stretch marks. Rosehip oil helps to speed up the reproduction of skin cells without making the skin dry or flaky. Rosehip oil also contains vitamin A, another powerful antiaging vitamin that assists with cell regeneration and production of collagen and elastin in the skin, it is very light and penetrates well absorbing quickly into the skin.

Sweet Almond oil is a non-clogging light fast absorbing oil known to leave the skin silky soft and velvety smooth. It’s very often used as a base oil combined with other carrier oils or in cleansers.

Camellia oil is a powerful repairing and rejuvenating oil. It can repair the structure of skin while deeply moisturizing skin. It is loaded with antioxidants and lots of other nutrients and is easily absorbed by the skin.

Hazelnut oil is another oils that is rich in essential fatty acids. It’s very soothing and healing for dry irritated skin. It is known to firm and tighten skin maintaining elasticity while encouraging cell regeneration. It stimulates circulation and is great for oily to combination skins.